The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-09-24
Written Jor The .4rkdnsd,o Irdpeler. a DTunn|eT'S Tale.
AY ". r.. s.

How seldom we ever hear "Com- mercial Drummer" relate any anecdote or incident that borders on the pa- thetic. The boys generally like to get together in the smoking car or in the steamer cabin or in the slow gong stage coach, while on route and vie with each other in telling tales more questionable than ielcctable. The one who refers to some cute trade in which a rustic merchant is made to purchase more goods than needs, or of some blooming country girl who was greatly impressed with our salesman's winning ways, or some sale he has made for a rival house is regarded with great respect by the other boys. Then again there arc men among these knights of the road" who will grace any profession, calling or trade. Men whose manners, although seemingly crude, brusque or roug.i in the ex- treme while engaged in trade, are just the reverse in the home circle. At home they are indulgcnt fathers, kind hearted husbands and liberal provid- CTS in things substantial and things that bring happiness to the house. Frequently we meet men of this last class who are foremost in trade, jealous for the interests of their firm whose large yearly sales will attest the vigor, the energy, the intelligence with which they per sue the restless dollar. One of these gentlemen was recently my com panion on tedious journey by stage through desolate portion of western Montana. The country surrounding us was devoid of vegetation of any description. A forest fire had left a few blackened, ,charred pine tree trunks standing like grim sentinels over this region of solitude. Birds and insects, although it was midsummer, had given the locality wide berth. Once in awhile as we ascended grade we could hear the laborious breathing of the four horses that hauled the lum- bering vehicle Even the driver seemed to be affected by our melan- choly surroundings, for he poked his head around the side and looked into the windows and said: "Say, gents ain't this jest h--l?"
 We both thought it was nearly so
 A long silence ensued, during which my companion seemed to be lost in { reverie. He was perhaps fifty years old. His eyes were mild ill expression and blue in color. His forehead higf and expansive, was crowned with , heavy growth of iron-gray hair. H, was of average stature and build. Ado to this neat fitting suit of navy blu, and you have his description, excep heavy iron-gray moustache tha gave him slightly military appear ance. He was just such man whom one would want to go to when il trouble or doubt.
 "Yes, sir" he unused, sthis is soli tude here in this desert, but then ther are times, even in the midst of pop ulous city, that one can feel deepe desolation, more lasting solitude an, loneliness than can be experienced her in this wilderness. In fact, the best par of my life has been one of solitud and yet had everything that none, could buy-friends, business, plent, of occupation-bIt alas no home, ye lived in comfortable house, wei kept and with efficient help"
 was growing interested and aske' him if he would tell me all about it i it would be agreeable.
 "Yes," he continued, not seeming t have noticed my slight interruption s'it will be two hours yet before W arrive at GalIatin, and as we are tn